Truck Driver Education - States Banning Texting While Driving

Part of truck driver training at trucking schools is preparing our drivers for conditions on the road. This truck driver training includes keeping our students updated on state driving laws. Texting while driving has been a hot topic in many states recently when it comes to passing some of these new laws. Most recently, it looks like Vermont is going to become the 26th state to ban texting while driving.
The Vermont bill will fine offenders $100 for their first offense and $250 for subsequent offenses within a two year period. This is a pretty common fine range among the states that have passed such laws on texting while driving. Five other states this year - Iowa, Kentucky, Nebraska, Washington and Wyoming have also strengthened or enacted new texting bans this year, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.

The first state to enact a ban on texting while driving was Washington back in 2007. Washington has since moved texting while driving to a primary offense from a secondary offense. This means drivers can now get pulled over by police if they see them texting - instead of first having to pull them over for another offense.

There will no doubt be more updates on texting while driving as more states continue to adopt these new laws on distracted driving. We will keep you posted on the latest updates as things progress on this topic of concern.